Rev. Leo Booth is a Unity minister and has served for the past 35 years in the addiction field as a spiritual advisor and addiction counselor. Currently he is involved with Santé Center for Healing in Argyle, Texas, and New Found Life in Long Beach, California. Booth also speaks at addiction conferences and churches of all denominations across the country. His books include “Say Yes to Your Life,” “Spirituality and Recovery,” and “The Wisdom of Letting Go,” published by Health Communications Inc.
Dr. Joan Borysenko is a legend in holistic healthcare, and evolutionary psychology. A pioneer in the integration of mind, body, and spirit, she is a licensed psychologist with a doctorate in cell biology from Harvard Medical School. President of Mind-Body Health Sciences, LLC in Santa Fe, NM, and a New York Times best-selling author of 16 books and several meditation CDs, Dr. Borysenko synthesizes cutting-edge science with deep humanity. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, on Public Television, and on numerous websites. You can find out more at www.joanborysenko.com or join the lively conversation daily at www.facebook.com/joanborysenkocommunity.
Dr. Harmell is a national lecturer specializing in legal and ethical issues in clinical practice. A professor at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, she has written extensively in professional publications on ethical practice. Dr. Harmell is a former chair of the California Psychological Association State Ethics Committee, and is the current co-chair of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association Ethics Committee. She served on the Board of Directors of the California Psychological Association, and she is a past-president of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association.
Melissa Legere, LMFT
Clinical Director, California Highlands Addiction Treatment
Melissa Legere, LMFT graduated cum laude from California State University, Fullerton with her Master’s Degree in Counseling. Melissa has always been driven by a connection with others and has a resilient motivation in assisting individuals in transforming their lives. Her dedication and desire to care for others is Melissa’s passion. She is currently the Clinical Director for California Highlands Addiction Treatment. Melissa created the Clinical Program at California Highlands from the clients’ perspective. The Program is founded on evidenced based treatments such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She developed California Highlands treatment approach from the ground up with a primary focus on the uniqueness of every client who are using substance(s) to cope with the deeper issues of trauma, depression, anxiety, etc. Melissa has infectious energy, ability to connect with clients and staff easily, her compassion and empathy builds deeper connection with every individual she meets. Melissa has 10 plus years of experience as a therapist working in many different settings from hospital inpatient and outpatient programs, residential detox and treatment facilities, to utilization review departments. She has extensive experience in developing programs and is always challenging the status quo when it comes to treating individuals. She has specific training and experience in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Melissa excels at supervising intern therapists and ensures their development. Melissa strives to create the best opportunities for a client to find healing.
Clinical Director, California Highlands Addiction Treatment
Melissa Legere, LMFT graduated cum laude from California State University, Fullerton with her Master’s Degree in Counseling. Melissa has always been driven by a connection with others and has a resilient motivation in assisting individuals in transforming their lives. Her dedication and desire to care for others is Melissa’s passion. She is currently the Clinical Director for California Highlands Addiction Treatment. Melissa created the Clinical Program at California Highlands from the clients’ perspective. The Program is founded on evidenced based treatments such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She developed California Highlands treatment approach from the ground up with a primary focus on the uniqueness of every client who are using substance(s) to cope with the deeper issues of trauma, depression, anxiety, etc. Melissa has infectious energy, ability to connect with clients and staff easily, her compassion and empathy builds deeper connection with every individual she meets. Melissa has 10 plus years of experience as a therapist working in many different settings from hospital inpatient and outpatient programs, residential detox and treatment facilities, to utilization review departments. She has extensive experience in developing programs and is always challenging the status quo when it comes to treating individuals. She has specific training and experience in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Melissa excels at supervising intern therapists and ensures their development. Melissa strives to create the best opportunities for a client to find healing.
Noah Levine, author of Dharma Punx, Against the Stream, The Heart of the Revolution and Refuge Recovery, is a Buddhist teacher, author and counselor. He has created a Buddhist approach to addiction recovery called Refuge Recovery, that includes peer lead meetings as well as a professional treatment center. He is also the founding teacher of Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society, with centers in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Nashville, and over 20 affiliated groups around North America. He teaches meditation classes, workshops and retreats internationally. Noah holds a Master’s degree in counseling psychology and lives in Los Angeles
Anthony Mele, a licensed psychologist, brings almost 25 years of clinical expertise and executive leadership on both the provider and payer sides of behavioral healthcare. Mele’s wide range of clinical expertise includes: the assessment and treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders in adolescents and adults, the use of telehealth to manage chronic medical conditions, and the development of non-pharmacologic interventions for individuals with cognitive impairment.
Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT-S
Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT-S, is senior vice president of national clinical development for Elements Behavioral Health, creating and overseeing addiction and mental health treatment programs for more than a dozen high-end treatment facilities, including Promises Treatment Centers in Malibu, The Ranch in Tennessee and The Right Step in Texas. An internationally acknowledged clinician and author of self-help literature for over 25 years. Weiss is a subject expert on the intersection of human intimacy and digital technology for multiple media outlets and is the author of several highly regarded books on sex, intimacy and addiction in the digital age. Weiss’s books, talks and event information can be found at www.robertweissmsw.com
Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT-S, is senior vice president of national clinical development for Elements Behavioral Health, creating and overseeing addiction and mental health treatment programs for more than a dozen high-end treatment facilities, including Promises Treatment Centers in Malibu, The Ranch in Tennessee and The Right Step in Texas. An internationally acknowledged clinician and author of self-help literature for over 25 years. Weiss is a subject expert on the intersection of human intimacy and digital technology for multiple media outlets and is the author of several highly regarded books on sex, intimacy and addiction in the digital age. Weiss’s books, talks and event information can be found at www.robertweissmsw.com
